ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India continues its streak of decline in active caseload; at 2.14 lakh after 197 days
15,968 daily new cases registered in the last 24 hours
India’s active caseload has fallen to 2.14 lakh  today. The share of Active Cases in the total Positive Cases has further shrunk to 2.04%. This is lowest after 197 days. The total active cases were 2,15,125 on 30th June, 2020.
A net decline of 2051 cases has been recorded in the total active cases in last 24 hours.
The daily cases in India are registering a consistent decline on a daily basis. Less than 16,000 daily new cases  were added to the national tally in the last 24 hours. On the other hand, 17,817 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours. Recoveries outnumbering new cases have ensured a steady fall in the Active Cases.
The total recovered cases stand at 10,129,111 which translates to a Recovery Rate of 96.51%. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases continues to grow and presently stands at 99,14,604.
81.83% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 4,270 recoveries. Maharashtra follows with 3,282 new recoveries. Chhattisgarh recorded another 1,207 daily recoveries.
74.82% of the new cases are concentrated in 7 States and UTs.
Kerala reported the maximum daily new cases numbering 5,507 in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra recorded 2,936 new cases while Karnataka reported 751 new cases yesterday.
Seven States/UTs account for 70.30% of the 202 case fatalities reported in the past 24 hours.
Maharashtra reported 50 deaths. Kerala and West Bengal follow with 25 and 18 new deaths, respectively.
The COVID-19 vaccination drive is scheduled to kick start from 16th January, 2021. The massive country-wide exercise in underpinned by the principles of people’s participation ; utilizing experience of elections  and Universal Immunization Program ; no compromise of existing healthcare services, especially national programs and primary health care; no compromise on scientific and regulatory norms, other SOPs; and an orderly and smooth implementation driven by technology.
The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine will provide priority to the healthcare workers and the frontline workers who are estimated to be around 3 cr, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 27 cr.
Study technology frameworks will ensure orderly and smooth implementation of the vaccination drive.
The total number of persons found to be positive with the new UK variant genome stands at 102 today.
Special Service and Features
Chennai City South Division organises Dak Adalat on June 19, 2023
The Department of Posts will conduct a Divisional – Level Dak Adalat on 19.06.2023 at 1100 hours where grievances of customers would be heard in person in the office of Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City South Division, T.Nagar PO Complex, , North Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017 and the Chairperson of Divisional Level Dak Adalat will hear the grievances personally relating to Postal Department’s Products and Services. Customers can send their complaints to the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City South Division, T.Nagar PO Complex, , North Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017 on or before 15.06.2023.
If the complaint is about postal article, the complaint should contain full details such as date and time of posting, full address of the sender and addressee, registration receipt number with date and office of booking for MO, VP, registered, insures or speed post articles.
If the complaint is about Savings schemes, Postal Life Insurance or Rural Postal Life Insurances, it should contain the details of the account number/policy number, name and full address of the depositor / insured, name of the Post Office and any reference of the Postal Department.
Only those cases which have already been taken up with the Post Offices at lower level but have not been resolved to the Satisfaction of the complainant would be taken up at the Divisional level Dak Adalat. No fresh complaint will be entertained in DAK Adalat.
Complaints to be send through ordinary or Registered Post. Grievances sent through private couriers will not be accepted. The covers should be superscribed as ‘Division Dak Adalat – Chennai City South Division’.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Nominations invited for Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018
Awards recognise outstanding work in the fields of Economic and Social Empowerment of Women
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited Nominations for the 2018 Nari Shakti Puraskar, the Highest Civilian Honour for Women in India. The coveted Award is conferred on those exceptional Women and Institutions who have been working incessantly towards the cause of Women Empowerment.
The President of India confers the Nari Shakti Puraskar on the International Women's Day, every year. Now in its 19th year, the Award recognises the par excellence contributions of Women in society, celebrate those who have carved a niche for themselves in the community and have also ensured women's financial stability.
"We have been conferring the Nari Shakti Puraskar since 1999 and have collated an extensive database of zealous Women Achievers, who rise above barriers, venture into unexplored sectors and make a lasting contribution to society. This year too, I urge those Women and Institutions to come forward and nominate themselves, who have made outstanding contribution towards upliftment of Women in society," said Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi.
The Nominations for the 2018 Nari Shakti Puraskar are open till 31st October, 2018. The desired documents for Nomination are to be submitted to the Deputy Secretary , MWCD, Room No- 632, 6th Floor, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi- 110001.
Applicants are requested to read the Award Guidelines at: http://www.wcd.nic.in/award
Self nominations for the Awards are also considered. The Selection Committee may at its discretion also consider individuals other than those recommended by the State Governments/Central Ministries.
A Screening Committee will scrutinize and shortlist the nominations received for the Awards and a Selection Committee constituted for the purpose will then consider the achievements of institutions and individuals nominated or recommended for the Awards by the prescribed authority. The outstanding contributions in the field are of primary consideration in identifying the recipients of Awards.
The final selections of the Awardees are made by the National Selection Committee which takes into account the recommendations of the Screening Committee.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development reaffirm its commitment to provide equal opportunities to Women by making them an integral part of nation’s development journey. The Ministry salutes the unbeatable prowess of Nari Shakti Puraskar awardees, who have also become role models for future generations.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
"Particulate matter levels decline further": Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said today that on account of further measures taken by implementing agencies at ground level, as directed by the Ministry and also due to improving weather conditions, the Particulate Matter  levels in Delhi and NCR declined further as anticipated. The Particulate Matter level reached Very Poor category with PM10 at 316.8 micrograms /m3 and PM2.5 at 206.8 micrograms/m3 at 16:00 Hours today, compared to severe category yesterday.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan added that all the measures and actions initiated by various agencies will be pursued vigorously and continued further.
The Minister also said that the hotspots in the city have been already identified for local control measures, including sprinkling of water, regulation of construction activities, dust mitigation, as well as other actions for control measures, as directed by the MOEFCC to various ground-level agencies. He added that a meeting with concerned agencies is proposed on 17.11.2017at CPCB to discuss the actions taken for local control of pollutants in the identified hotspots.
"The actions are being reviewed on a daily basis, based on the reports of the field teams of CPCB deployed for getting feedback on the actions initiated by the implementing agencies and further follow-up is also taken diligently", assured Dr Harsh Vardhan.
Ministry of Education
Government has taken various initiatives to improve the global ranking of Indian education institutions – Education Minister
Government of India is committed to the nation to empower Higher Educational Institutions to help them become world class teaching and research institutions. In this context, Institutions of Eminence  scheme has been launched in the year 2017 under which UGC has declared 10 Public and 10 Private institutions as IoEs . The objective of the scheme is to enable them to achieve rankings within top 500 in any of the world renowned ranking frameworks. Government Institutions will get financial assistance of 1000 crores over a period of five years in addition to the grant already being received. The institutions selected from the private sector will have autonomy to promote innovation and creativity. All India Council for Technical Education  has taken various quality initiatives such as examination reforms, mandatory internship, induction program for students,revision of model curriculum, internship, industry readiness accreditation, start-up and national initiative for Teachers’ Training etc to provide a thrust to improve quality of technical education in the country.
Government has taken various initiatives to improve the global ranking of Indian education institutions and to increase quantity and quality of research in Universities / Institutions through various schemes, awards, fellowships, Chairs & Programmes with financial assistance across S&T disciplines such as , Basic Scientific Research , Universities and Colleges with Potential for Excellence , Impacting Research Innovation and Technology , Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana  schemes, Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences,Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy, Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration, Minor and Major Research Projects , establishing Centres of Excellence, Research Parks and Technology Business Incubators , Prime Minister’s Research Fellows, Study in India, research workshops, seminars and conferences and Emeritus fellowship etc.
AICTE provides financial assistance to teachers engaged in research under its schemes namely Faculty Development Program , grant for organizing conferences and travel grant for attending international conferences/seminars.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Nonagenarian Freedom Fighter to address PIB Webinar on Role of Mumbai in Freedom Movement
Mumbai, August 26, 2021
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week, PIB Mumbai has organized a webinar on "Role of Mumbai in the Freedom Movement".
92-year-old freedom fighter Rohini Gavankar will be felicitated on the occasion. She will also narrate her views and experiences of the freedom movement.
Other participants are Ms. Anuradha Ranade, columnist and Ms. Aruna Pendse, academician.
Mumbai was the birth place of the Indian National Congress in 1885. A galaxy of leaders from Mumbai led the Congress movement under the guidance of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and later Mahatma Gandhi.
Industrialists of Mumbai  played a significant role in the Swadeshi Movement, and it was the place from where the Quit India Movement was launched.
The Webinar would touch upon the key monuments/ sites of August Kranti Maidan, Tejpal Hall, Mani Bhawan, Prarthna Samaj and Chowpatty, which were associated with the Salt Satyagraha.
The webinar can be watched at this link, from 12 P.M. onwards, on Friday, August 27, 2021: https://youtu.be/pVnITlGLAF4.
The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is celebrating the Iconic Week of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from 23rd to 29th August, 2021. Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched the grand celebration, aimed at attracting participation from across the country under the overall spirit of “Jan Bhagidari and Jan Andolan'' The objective is to showcase the journey of New India and celebrate the contribution of freedom fighters including the ‘Unsung Heroes’ of the freedom struggle through massive outreach activities. The iconic week showcases the convergence of the values and glories of the freedom struggle of the past with the aspirations and dreams of a young, new and iconic India.
Ministry of Defence
Army Commander’s Conference
The Army Commander’s Conference, an apex level biannual event, is held in April and October every year. The conference facilitates conceptual level deliberations culminating in important policy decisions. The latest edition of the Army Commander’s Conference will be held at New Delhi from 14 to 19 October 2019.
The apex level leadership of Indian Army will brainstorm on current emerging security and administrative challenges and chart the future course for Indian Army. To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through collegiate system comprising Army commanders and senior officers.
The conference commences on 14 October with the address of the COAS, followed by an update by the Army Commanders on their respective operational and administrative issues. Discussions on ongoing contemporary issues is also scheduled.
Additionally an equipment display by defence industries showcasing niche technology in fields of Artificial Intelligence, Drone Systems, Ammunition and Unmanned Ground Vehicles will also be held. The focus of the exhibition will be to promote indigenization through ‘Make in India’.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Good Governance in Panchayat System
2.62 Lakh GPDPs have been uploaded on eGramSwaraj portal for the year 2021-22
For ensuring timely audit of Panchayat accounts, MoPR has devised an online application – Audit Online
Ministry of Panchayati Raj  has developed the eGramSwaraj portal  , which aims to bring in transparency the planning, progress reporting, financial management and details of assets created in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Further, Ministry has also integrated e-Gram SWARAJ with Public Financial Management System for Gram Panchayats to make real-time payments to vendors/service providers. So far, 2.62 Lakh GPDPs have been uploaded on eGS for the year 2021-22. Further, Panchayats have adopted the mechanism to make payments to vendors through Public Financial Management system.
Further, for ensuring timely audit of Panchayat accounts, MoPR has devised an online application – Audit Online . This application not only facilitates auditing of Panchayat accounts but also provides for maintaining audit records. This application streamlines the process for creating audit inquiries, draft local audit reports, draft audit-paras etc. Thus, proper maintenance of accounts by Panchayatsis ensured, improving transparency and accountability.
Panchayat is a State subject mandated at Part IX and List II  of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and as such probe into corruption cases relating to corrupt and illegal practices of the panchayat representatives and officials are the responsibility of the concerned State government.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM chairs meeting of High Level Committee to commemorate 400th Birth Anniversary  of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today chaired the meeting of the High Level Committee to commemorate 400th Birth Anniversary  of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The meeting was organised via video conferencing.
The participants of the meeting thanked the Prime Minister for the grand vision to commemorate the 400th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. They recalled the various contributions and sacrifice for religious freedom by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The participants gave inputs and suggestions for the commemoration, and noted that it is important to highlight the various facets of his life. Union Home Minister said that collective efforts should be made to ensure that the message of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji reaches out to all. Culture Secretary gave a presentation on suggestions outlined till now for the commemoration.
Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked the participants for their suggestions. He said that the occasion of the 400th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a spiritual privilege as well as a national duty. He shared teaching and lessons learnt from the life of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, adding that we all derive inspiration from him. He highlighted that it is important to make the younger generation understand these lessons and noted that through digital means, it is easier to reach out to the younger generation worldover to spread the message.
Prime Minister said that the Sikh Guru tradition is a complete life philosophy in itself. It is the privilege and good fortune of the government that it has got the opportunity to celebrate the 550th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 400th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the 350th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Elaborating on the discussions in the meeting, the Prime Minister said that to connect more and more people to commemorate the 400th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, various activities will be organized throughout the year. He said that the organisation of activities should be such that not only the life and teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, but of the entire Guru Tradition is propagated worldover. Hailing the social service done by Sikh community and Gurudwaras all over the world, the Prime Minister said that proper research and documentation on this aspect of the Sikh tradition should be done.
The meeting was attended by Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh; Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah; Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla; Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh; Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Shri MallikarjunKharge; Haryana CM Shri Manohar Lal; Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh; Rajasthan CM Shri Ashok Gehlot; President, Shiromani GurudwaraParbandhak Committee, Amritsar, Bibi Jagir Kaur; MPs Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal and Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa; Former MP Shri Tarlochan Singh; MD Amul Shri R S Sodhi; Eminent Scholar Shri Amarjit Singh Grewal, among others.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
“Meri Mati Mera Desh” programme organized by NYK Murshidabad
Kolkata; August 10, 2023
“Meri Mati Mera Desh” programme was organized yesterday at Lalgola in Murshidabad to pay homage to the heroes who laid down their lives for the country. The programme was organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Murshidabad in collaboration with 53 BN Border Security Force and in association with GamilaNabin Sangha, GamilaLalgola.
Around 100 youths from various parts of Lalgola block participated in the event. Speakers spoke on PaanchPran, benefits of plantation and environment. They also spoke on the historic event of Quit India Movement.
Five  Retired Defence Personnel were felicitated on the occasion as well. Officials from BSF, NYK and members from Youth organisations participated in a huge rally organised as a part of the programme. Oath was also administered and sapling was distributed as well as apart from plantation of trees.
The 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' campaign, which started yesterday across the country will continue till August 30, 2023. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had recently announced this campaign during the broadcast of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme. The purpose of this campaign is to salute the brave freedom fighters and heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
COIR Board Pavilion at the 41st IITF, Pragati Maidan
Spread in Hall No.7 E of Pragati Maidan, the Coir Board exhibition depicts the skill and craftsmanship of coir workers in producing a variety of handmade products and handicrafts like toy, ornaments etc. The range being displayed at the pavilion includes traditional coir products like handloom coir mat, mattings, carpets, coir geo-textiles, power-loom coir mattings etc.
‘Coir Pavilion’ inspired by the theme “Vocal For Local, Local to Global” was inaugurated by Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises , Shri Narayan Rane in the august presence of MOS for MSME Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma and other senior officers from the Ministry on 15.11.2022.
Shri Rane visited various stalls of Coir Board and interacted with sellers. Shri Narayan Rane said that the Fair will provide an opportunity to MSME entrepreneurs, especially women, SC/ST and entrepreneurs from aspirational districts, to show-case their skills/products and create new opportunities for growth and be self-reliant.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
ACC approval
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved designating Shri Rajiv Kumar, IAS  Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance as Finance Secretary.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
44th Chess Olympiad: Gukesh stuns former World Championship challenger Shirov as India B clinch fifth win in row
Young Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh caused a biggest upset of the Round 5 at the 44th Chess Olympiad by defeating former World Championship Challenger Alexei Shirov as India B shocked Spain by 2.5-1.5 score in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
Exhibiting a brilliant gameplay, Gukesh not only extended his unbeaten run at the prestigious event but also helped India B register an impressive victory against fourth-seeded Spain—team’s fifth successive win in the open section.
It was Gukesh’s fifth victory on the trot in this event. Incidentally, after this victory, he overtakes Vidit Gujrathi in live ratings to be the third highest rated player in India after Viswanathan Anand and Pentala Harikrishna.
“I got a fine position after an error from him and slowly outplayed him. It’s a pleasure to play a player of Shirov’s calibre and to beat him is special,” Gukesh said after the match.
Member of India B pose for a photo ahead of Round 5 at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu on Tuesday
“My strategy was to provoke him and being an aggressive player, he could not resist aggressive moves, ones which I anticipated. There were a lot of checkmating patterns later on in the game,” Gukesh added.
Adhiban B. was also in fine fettle, downing GM Eduardo Iturrizaga in a strategic master piece while Nihal Sarin held Anton Guijar to a draw.
India A and India C also notched up identical wins against Romania and Croatia respectively in other open section matches.
IM Vaishali R on India's Women Team B in action during the round 5 of the 44th Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu on Tuesday
Meanwhile in the women’s section, India A also registered their fifth consecutive victory with Tania Sachdev once again bringing the winning point for her team. They beat France by 2.5-1.5 margin after Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli Harika and R Vaishali had drawn their encounters.
Indian women’s B team, on the other hand, lost to fancied Georgia with a 0-3 score while Team C held Brazil to a 2-2 draw.
Harika and Sophie Millet signed a truce after 40 moves in a dead equal position.
Prime Minister's Office
K J Alphons presents his book 'Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Government' to PM
Former Union Minister, Shri K J Alphons has presented his book ‘Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Government’ to the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister said that he has made a commendable effort to encapsulate facets of India’s reform journey in his work, ‘Accelerating India.’
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"My valued colleague, Shri @alphonstourism has made a commendable effort to encapsulate facets of India’s reform journey in his work, ‘Accelerating India.’ Delighted to receive a copy from him."